TENDERNESS GENE

The new Genestar TENDERNESS Gene Marker Test has revealed that 
Simmental Shows a Very High 61% Incidence of 2 Star Tenderness Gene 
amongst the first 65 animals tested.

The incidence of 1 Star for this Tenderness Gene was 36% 
and the incidence of 0 Star was only 3%

MARBLING GENE

Further Genestar testing of Simmentals has shown that many Simmental bloodlines carry the marbling influencing gene. 

116 Simmentals have now been tested for this gene, identifying 16 with 2 Star rating (13.8%) 
and 47 with 1 Star rating (40.5%). The combined 2 and 1 Star incidence is a very high 54%.

This means that every second Simmental carries a form of this marbling gene.

These represent valuable findings for purebreeders and crossbreeders 
needing to infuse marbling and tenderness genes in their end product.

	MARBLING GENE					TENDERNESS GENE
All Simmental Results					All Simmental Results
Total		Marbling Results			Total		Tenderness Results
116					66
% of Total	13.8%	40.5%	45.7%		% of Total	60.6%	36.4%	3.0%
No Head	16	47	53		No Head	40	24	2
Australian Bred Animals					Australian Bred Animals
Total		Marbling Results			Total		Tenderness Results
94					61
% of Total	14.9%	42.6%	42.6%		% of Total	62.3%	34.4%	3.3%
No Head	14	40	40		No Head	38	21	2

The Genestar Marbling tests are conducted by Genetic Solutions, an Australian company with the commercial licence to test for these key marker genes. The tests, conducted on DNA extracted from an animal's hair or semen sample can identify whether an animal carries:

      Both alleles of the gene (2 Star).        Will pass one to all its progeny.

      One allele of the gene    (1 Star).         May pass one or no alleles to its progeny.

 or       

      No alleles are present    (0 Star).         Will not pass any alleles to its progeny.  

Further testing of Australian Simmentals could reveal an even higher incidence of 2 Star animals for these two key genes. Planned matings could also lead to higher incidence in some herds. Using semen from a 2 Star sire (assuming his other attributes are favourable) can quickly build the incidence of 2 and 1 Star progeny in a herd.

Ø       Mating a 2 Star bull to 1 Star females will produce 50% 2 Star and 50% 1 Star progeny.

Ø       Mating a 2 Star bull to 0 Star females will produce 100% 1 Star progeny.

Ø       Mating a 1 Star bull to 1 Star females will produce 25% 2 Star, 50% 1 Star and 25% 0 Star progeny.

TO VIEW FULL RESULTS of TESTED SIMMENTALS

Results for all Genestar tested Australian Bred Simmentals, Simmental sires Imported from 
North America and Europe, plus Simmental bulls resident in the USA.

CLICK HERE      MARBLE GENE RESULTS                  

CLICK HERE      TENDERNESS GENE RESULTS

CLICK HERE      Further details on the Genestar Test and how it can be applied.

CLICK HERE      How to Apply the Results in a Breeding Program  

CLICK HERE      Explanation of New Tenderness Tests (2004)  

    Two of the Australian Bred 2 Star Simmentals. 

Click Here for Details	Woonalee U8	Woonalee U8
Semen Available in Australian 2 Star Simmental Bull

Waterfront Usher   sire:       Eckersley Jackson    dam:      Avoca Vale Kilmander Owner:  RH Hodge & Partners                   Waterfront Simmentals   Phone:   08 8555 4097